Cat raises dividend rate 17 percent

The Caterpillar Board of Directors voted to increase the quarterly cash dividend by six cents per share bringing the value of common stock up from $0.36 to $0.42 payable August 20, 2008, to stockholders of record at the close of business July 21, 2008. Cat’s cash dividend has nearly tripled since 1998. Since November of 1933 Cat has paid a dividend every quarter and has paid higher dividends in each of the last 15 years.